Chapter 4: Building a New Life
Spring arrived.
Daniel bought a modest home only fifteen minutes from Sophie's school.
Nothing about it was fancy.
But every room felt peaceful.
Together they painted Sophie's bedroom pale blue.
They planted flowers in the backyard.
Every Friday became movie night.
Every Saturday morning they made pancakes.
Sophie returned to gymnastics.
Her confidence slowly came back.
One evening she climbed onto the back porch with the telescope Daniel had brought home.
"Dad!"
He looked through the lens.
Saturn's rings shined clearly against the night sky.
"It's beautiful," he whispered.
"So are second chances," Sophie replied.
Daniel smiled.
"You sound older than twelve."
She laughed.
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"I had to grow up while you were gone."
He promised himself she never would again.
